'Give Us Proof,' Wife Urges

WASHINGTON — Robin Higgins called on her husband's captors Tuesday to "give us proof" of whether he is dead or alive.

Higgins' wife, who remained out of the public eye for most of the day at the Pentagon, said through a spokeswoman that she had viewed the videotape of the purported execution of Lt. Col. William R. Higgins.

However, she said, "It is impossible to make a definite determination on whether my husband is dead or alive."

A Pentagon spokeswoman, Army Maj. Kathy Wood, relayed the comments from Robin Higgins.

"I want my husband returned home," she was quoted as saying.

She also called on his captors to "give us proof of his condition," Maj. Wood said.

Robin Higgins is a major in the Marine Corps and works as a Defense Department public information officer.

She was officially on leave Tuesday but went to the Pentagon to be kept informed about her husband's fate, her colleague said.

She appeared grim-faced as reporters and photographers saw her leave the Pentagon for Capitol Hill to meet Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.). Dole had requested the meeting, Maj. Wood said.